THE BEST OF A BROKEN SELF

(A Song for Mamay on her 80th birthday)

Joe Olivay Paz
September 17, 2020; 10:40 pm

Each day seems so long for you

as you gaze upon its passing
Every sun rise is a page
that you fill with remembering
Your blithe spirit
hidden in your curved shoulders
Oh, what a sight to behold and embrace!

Those sunken wrinkled eyes

Taught me more than words can say
Your lips fed my heart
with your faithful undertakings
My life began
‘Coz you mustered all your strengths and courage
Oh, what a sight to behold and embrace!

Chorus: And I stand tall ‘coz you once stood tall for me
I smile ‘coz your tears have set me free
I live, I hope, I Love, I give, I hold on to my faith
‘Coz you loved me with the best of your broken self.

Your ways haven’t changed a bit,

They’ve only gone unhurried
Your face shows your beauty,
Only tanned and less lither
Your gentle soul
Wrapped my life through all the joys and pains
Oh, what a sight to behold and embrace!

(Repeat Chorus)

Coda: Let these hands carry you

Let these legs walk you through
Let me be a fortress where your tired heart rest
And find love from the best of my broken self.
Hold on tight to these arms that you once so delicately caressed